The Grand Surprise: The Journals of Leo Lerman

I went to a party Monday night with the people who worked on the book New York Diaries: 1609 to 2009. That is the author, Teresa Carpenter, on the far left, and I’m going to be writing more about New York Diaries at the beginning of next year. I was a fact checker for the book—best job ever—which I’ll talk about.

The gentlemen in the picture is Stephen Pascal. He edited the journals of Leo Lerman, and the review I’ve linked is just so evocative of a world that I must have this book. I also wish Stephen Pascal was my next door neighbor and best friend so we could grab a cup of coffee and talk every day about our lives, New York, books, and what is gone and what is left. to Stephen’s right is one of the editors for the book Victoria Wright, also fabulous.

I must say I’m very disappointed in my upper arms. I swim or work out daily. I’m in great shape, I’m thin. They should look better! Damnit. More cut or something.

Party at Teresa Carpenter's House

Note to Self: Take B12

I read this article in the Times and immediately laid in a supply of B12. “A B12 deficiency can creep up without warning and cause a host of confusing symptoms that are likely to be misdiagnosed or ascribed to aging … [such as] muscle weakness, fatigue, shakiness, unsteady gait, incontinence, low blood pressure, depression and other mood disorders, and cognitive problems like poor memory.”

Anything having to do with memory always gets my attention. For instance, I don’t know how many times I’ve consulted my camera manual to learn how to do something and then I forget. The other night I was trying to get a picture of Grace Church and a Christmas tree and I couldn’t remember how to do this manually to get the shot I wanted. Resulting in this. I couldn’t figure out how to retain the sparkling lights on the tree.

I have to go back to the manual and re-read a section I have probably already read a billion times. I retain nothing!

Grace Church, New York City, During the Holidays

The Ponds are Leaving Dr. Who??

NO. Can’t we just, well, make them stay? I read the bad news that the actress who plays Amy Pond, Karen Gillan, is leaving Dr. Who, and that Arthur Darvill, who plays her husband Rory, will also be written out. Why oh why must the things I love change?? Oh, Darvill is also a composer I see. Interesting. Anyway, I loved the chemistry between the three characters, this is killing me. Sob.

I was walking around, enjoying the Christmas decorations, when I saw this very simple and original display in a window on 11th Street. To me it says: “Here I am! Hurry up, Santa! Don’t forget me! Here’s a candle so you don’t get lost, because I’m totally afraid that happens!”

Or, more concisely: “Mine, mine, mine!”

Original Christmas Decoration, 11th Street, New York City

I Want to Wear a Gown

Of course I’d need an occasion to wear a gown, which has never come up in my life ever, but still. It would be nice. The silver gown is Alexander McQueen, the black one is … oh Jesus, I didn’t get the name of the shop. Someone well known I’m sure, it’s beautiful. It’s also the one I think would be more flattering on.

Both of these are in windows on 14th Street, a few blocks away from where I live. This is what I have to contend with. The truth is I love looking in the windows and don’t actually long to own what I see (except for some of the things I see in Cynthia Rowley’s window) so it’s not like I’m walking by like the Little Match Girl.

Fabulous and Free

I was just asked for feedback about the Bumble & Bumble University Model Project, and what is there to say really? You get your hair either colored or cut or styled for free. It’s as win/win as it gets. The “students” are actually all working stylists who go there to learn a new technique, (as far as I was able to tell) and every move they make is watched.

Well, I just learned that for everyone I refer to the Model Project I get $10 off a product and so does the person I referred and there is no limit to how much credit you can rack up.

If you live in New York there is no earthly reason not to do this. I’ve tried everything, getting my hair cut, I recently got it colored, and last week I got it styled, and each time I walked out of there happy as hell. You can keep going back all year, (I’ve already booked my next coloring appointment) and they estimate people like me save $800 a year in salon costs.

So if you’re in New York, email the Model Project and say Stacy Horn sent you!

Santa Girl up by Lincoln Center.